Hi,
Has anyone ever taken Ativan occassionally for anxiety. I was given this by my doctor and of course due to my obessive worry have not taken any wanting to do things natural. I have found that I am so consumed with fear and panic and am going through all most every body symptom night and day that it's hard to function lately. I have a high tolerance for pain but this is getting alittle frustrating.
Any advice or thoughts would be helpful.
Thanks,

Good morning! Please do not be afraid of Ativan. It is certainly a drug that should not be abused...but, it can bring tremendous relief from anxiety and panic. I have taken Ativan off and on over the course of eight years. I recently started the medication again with the onset of my anxiety and panic disorder....I had not needed it for many years. Anyway, the drug does treat the symptoms...which can make it easier for you to deal with and find solutions for the cause of your problem. I hope this info helps!

God Bless,
Maria

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Do you take it in the day and evening?
That's when I am to take it but I am concerned it would make me drowsy.
I really need some relief from all of this as for it feels like it's consuming my life and I can't focus on anything else.

Trueblue
Ativan use to be my little buddy. At first I took it quite regularly. Then I just made sure I had it in my purse, Incase. Anyways I never had any experience of feeling strange on it, just relaxed, more carefree, and more able to cope with stresses. Ativan is highly addictive though, so although it's a great way of coping in an emergency I wouldn't want anyone to become reliant on it.
Sander

I strictly take it only when needed....and I try to take only a half. I am too paranoid of taking Ativan all the time. I have enough to cope with...I certainly do not need an addiction.

I have a prescription for Ativan that I have been nursing since August. I only take it when I go to sleep and only if I have had a really anxious day or absolutely need to sleep well that night. It works very well, makes me feel rested the next day which I beleive allows me to be less anxious during the day.
I wouldn't take it during the day becuase it makes me quite drowsy.
Good luck!

How long does It take for ativav to work? I've been on It only a week. I'm hearing voices,afraid of things. from Amy

Amy

Ativan is quite quick acting, esp. the one you put under your tongue. I would suggest that if your hearing voices, and afraid of things that you let your doctor know of these things. Perhaps there is another type of drug that will be prescribed.
Sander

Thanks for all of your advice. I still haven't gotten up the courage to take it but know that I am consumed with anxiety. Can you tell me how your body feels after taking it....I am hearing just relaxed and tired. Thinking more clearly?
I am now loosing more hair, constantly worried, panicing daily, and feel overwhelmed like this isn't going to go away!

If Ativan is anything like xanax it is a god sent. It is fast acting. Place a tiny amount under your tounge and within 5-15 min anxiety is gone. But ONLY take it when you are more anxious than you can handle. It is very addictive. In my experience there were no side effects. i wish they would make a non addicitve version of this life saver.

Hello all,
Thanks for you great advice.
I finally took the ativan last night very late after a very anxiety filled day. I did get some sleep but not enought so that was good. Probably only take it as needed but I really appreciate all the support!

True Blue, i took ativan for several years. don't be afraid of the side effects. i took it as needed and it worked wonderfully. i think if you didn't need it and took it, it would probably make you feel drowsy, etc. But if your body is anxious and you can't deal, it will just relax you, not make it so you can't function, just take the edge off. My dr switched me from ativan to klonopin. I take the lowest dose and only 1 a day. it seems to work well also, it is supposed to prevent panic attacks, still have some but not as much. Probably wouldn't if the dosed was upped, but you know how it is with pills and paranoia. So, i just go with it now. Ativan really does work thought, don't be afraid. I used to take 1/2 pills too. But like I said if you didn't need it, then maybe it would make you feel weird, but if it is needed, it should put you where you need to be (balance you out). Good Luck

Did anyone take ativan on a regular basis? If so,
how did you get off it? I am trying to get off it
now, but it is very hard. I posted a message
in the general questions, but only got a few
(albeit very helpul) responses.

BTW, I tried taking hidroxylin (antihistamine/sedative) and allegra at different
times to help me wean me of ativan, but they made
me more anxious.

Thanks for any ideas.